N Brown Group plans further online investment, while scaling back its direct mail activity

Figleaves-owner N Brown Group today said it planned further investment in its online sales channel, which now accounts for 56% of its revenue from home shopping.

The update came as the home shopping group, which owns brands including Figleaves, Jacamo, Simply Be and Marisota today reported an 8% rise in total revenue in the 17 weeks to June 29, while like-for-like revenue was up by 7.8%, excluding sales from stores opened in the last year.

“Customer recruitment has gone according to plan, with spend level maintained at last year’s increased rate,” it said. “We are progressing with our contact optimisation programme, reducing the number of brochures mailed to customers and investing more in the online channel, which now accounts for 56% of total home shopping revenue.”

The company said in the statement that all of its brands, product groups and channels, including online, store and international, had contributed to the boost to revenues. It also said that ladieswear revenue had recovered with the improving weather and that brands targeted at under 50s, Simply Be, Fashion World and Jacamo, all saw good growth.

US websites were launched during the period for over-50s brand Marisota as well as for Jacamo and, said N Brown Group, “we continue to see exciting opportunities in this market.” It also said that its Simply Be and Jacamo stores were making good progress, and a decision is pending on whether more will be opened by Christmas.

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